RFPCLOSED
Save

St. Joseph County Corporate Counsel Legal Services RFP 2026

St. Joseph County logoSt. Joseph County
Due
Aug 14, 2026
Deadline passed
Posted
Jul 7, 2026
Contract term
3 years
Primary contact
Teresa Cupp
(269) 467-5500

The 30-second brief

What they're buying

St. Joseph County, Michigan is seeking proposals from qualified law firms to serve as Corporate Counsel beginning January 1, 2027. The selected firm will provide legal guidance to the Board of Commissioners, County Administrator, and various departments on matters including labor and employment law (10 collective bargaining units), municipal governance, human resources, contracts, procurement, real estate, and litigation. The County anticipates a three-year agreement with two optional one-year renewals. Proposals will be evaluated on qualifications, experience with Michigan counties, service philosophy, and overall value. Electronic submissions are due by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 14, 2026, to Teresa Cupp, County Administrator/Controller.

How it's scored

Qualifications and experience of the proposed legal team (20), Experience representing Michigan counties and municipal governments (15), Labor and employment law experience (15), Client service philosophy responsiveness and communication (15), Understanding of county government and practical legal advice (10), Overall value of proposed services (10), Demonstrated commitment to continuity (5), References and past performance (5), Value-added services and training (5)

Get notified when St. Joseph County posts the next one.

Get alerts free

Free account · 30-second setup · No credit card

Summary

St.

Joseph County, Michigan is seeking proposals from qualified law firms to serve as Corporate Counsel beginning January 1, 2027. The selected firm will provide legal guidance to the Board of Commissioners, County Administrator, and various departments on matters including labor and employment law (10 collective bargaining units), municipal governance, human resources, contracts, procurement, real estate, and litigation. The County anticipates a three-year agreement with two optional one-year renewals. Proposals will be evaluated on qualifications, experience with Michigan counties, service philosophy, and overall value. Electronic submissions are due by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 14, 2026, to Teresa Cupp, County Administrator/Controller.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Qualifications and experience of the proposed legal team20
Experience representing Michigan counties and municipal governments15
Labor and employment law experience15
Client service philosophy responsiveness and communication15
Understanding of county government and practical legal advice10
Overall value of proposed services10
Demonstrated commitment to continuity5
References and past performance5
Value-added services and training5

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS

6
  • Proposal Cover Sheet
  • Fee Proposal
  • Government References
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure
  • Proposal Certification
  • Proposal Checklist

REQUIRED STAFFING

5
Lead AttorneyAdditional Attorney(s)Associate Attorney(s)ParalegalOther Professional Staff
Scope location
St. Joseph County, MI

Questions about this RFP

How do I respond to this RFP from St. Joseph County?

Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is August 14, 2026. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: [email protected]. For questions, contact Teresa Cupp.

Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?

Most government agencies, including St. Joseph County in MI, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.

What happens after the RFP submission deadline?

After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.

Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?

Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Teresa Cupp at (269) 467-5500. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.

What staffing is required for this project?

This solicitation outlines specific staffing requirements. The required roles include: Lead Attorney, Additional Attorney(s), Associate Attorney(s), Paralegal, Other Professional Staff. Proposers should demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience for each required role.

Show 5 more questions

What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?

This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Qualifications and experience of the proposed legal team (20), Experience representing Michigan counties and municipal governments (15), Labor and employment law experience (15), Client service philos..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.

Where can I find more RFPs from St. Joseph County?

All active and historical solicitations from St. Joseph County are tracked and searchable. As a county agency, St. Joseph County regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.

What is the contract term for this solicitation?

The anticipated contract term is 3 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.

What documents are required to bid on this RFP?

Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Proposal Cover Sheet, Fee Proposal, Government References, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Proposal Certification, Proposal Checklist. Additionally, proposals should address staffing requirements as outlined in the solicitation. Review the full document from St. Joseph County for the complete list.

What is the scope of this project?

This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: St. Joseph County, MI. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.

Work in government? Get Civic IQ free →

Start finding government buyers today.
It's free.

B2G and SLED sales intelligence. Surface government procurement signals from 100,000+ state, local, and education agencies months before the RFP.

Get started free

No credit card required